Students, cheerleaders and even Temoc were on-hand to announce a record fund raising year of more than $55 million in total gifts and pledges.

$55 Million: One of Many New Fundraising Records

Total Gifts and Pledges to UT Dallas Rose Almost $15 Million Last Fiscal Year

President Daniel made his way throughout the crowd to share his gratitude with donors.

Entertainment was provided by the Texas Instruments Jazz Band, which includes two members with UT Dallas ties. On the saxophone was Dr. Gerry Burnham, an associate professor of electrical engineering; trumpet player is Jeff Leinbaugh BSEE’08.

Sept. 27, 2011

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Donors to UT Dallas shattered records in nearly every measure used to gauge private support for the just-ended fiscal year. More than $55 million in total gifts and pledges were received, eclipsing the previous year’s $40.6 million total, the largest total to date at that time.

“We’re very grateful to our donors who have enabled the University to move forward on so many fronts,” said President David E. Daniel. “We’re also appreciative of the support of our legislative partners, who provided matching funds through the Texas Research Incentive Program (TRIP), and The University of Texas System regents, who also provided access to matching funds. These matching funds encourage and reward private support.”

The final tally, $55,158,983, was celebrated at an event Sept. 15 hosted by the UT Dallas Development Board. Held on The Trellis Plaza at center of campus, the Celebration of Support brought out more than 200 attendees including faculty and staff, alumni, public officials and other friends.

Dr. Aaron Conley, vice president for development and alumni relations, described a variety of record-breaking metrics associated with the increased dollar-total. “More than 4,500 gifts were made last year to UT Dallas, which shows our record gift total was not the result of just one or two major gifts,” he said. “This broad-based support tells us more and more people are truly beginning to envision Tier One for UT Dallas.

More than 250 guests turned out for the University's first “Celebration of Support.”

“These served many purposes, from providing cochlear implants to clients at the Callier Center, to furthering Alzheimer’s research at the Center for Vital Longevity, to enhancing field study experiences for students in geosciences. Donors also created Campus Enhancement Funds to provide care for the new magnolia and bur oak trees. And others gave to endow new undergraduate scholarships, as well as new professorships and chairs to support the faculty.”

The Celebration of Support event is part of a series of new stewardship activities initiated by the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.

Among the guests at the event were members of new donor societies established last year. The societies’ names commemorate aspects and traditions of the University: The Love Jack Society, The Comet Whoosh Society, The Trellis Society, The UT Dallas Laureates and Founders Society and The Legacy Society. For more information, please visit Office of Development and Alumni Relations donor page.